Real Estate Designations

GRI, ABR, CRS - What Do They Mean and Why Are They Important?

GRI, CRS, CRP - what does all this alphabet soup mean to you? When you see initials like these behind a REALTOR's name, it means that this person is a committed professional, not content just to take the courses needed to get and maintain a real estate license, but determined to improve his or her professional skills. They have devoted time to attending advanced educational courses and taking examinations to earn these designations.

ABRAccredited Buyer Representative - denotes a Sales Associate who is qualified to provide buyer representation and is familiar with buyer brokerage and buyer agency issues. Requires a 12 hour course, active membership in REBAC, and at least five documented transactions during the previous 18th month period where the Sales Associate acted as a buyer's represetative. Awarded by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (REBAC).

ABRMThe Accredited Buyer Representative Manager designation, is geared toward brokers, owners and managers who wish to incorporate buyer representation into their daily practice. Those who have earned the ABRM designation have overseen a minimum of 25 real estate transactions involving a buyer agent or have had more than two years of experience in the oversight of buyer representatives. REBAC is an affiliate of the National Association of Realtors. It is conferred by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (REBAC).

ALCThe Accredited Land Consultant designation is conferred by the Realtors Land Institute. Members specialize in areas such as subdivision development, real estate marketing, urban and investment land, and farms and ranches. Requirements include course work, passing a comprehensive exam, service to the Institute, documented experience, and passing an oral interview all within a two-year period.

CCIMA Certified Commercial Investment Member is a recognized professional in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, asset management, valuation, and investment analysis. As an experienced expert, a CCIM is an invaluable resource to the commercial real estate owner, investor, and user. The Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute (CIREI), through its education program, has been conferring the CCIM designation since 1969. The 240 hours of graduate-level curriculum leading to the designation represent the finest education available in real estate. Professional experience requirements ensure that a CCIM is skilled not only in theory, but also in practice.

CIPSCertified International Property Specialist awarded by the CIPS Network through the National Association of REALTORS and local REALTOR organizations.

CRBThe Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) Designation is recognized throughout the industry as the symbol of excellence in brokerage management. In order to be eligible for the CRB Designation, candidates must have been directly responsible for the effective management of a real estate business as an active principal in a brokerage management capacity, or in a real estate related management position for a minimum of two (2) consecutive years which may be acquired while enrolled in the CRB Management Certification Program. In addition, at least 18 course units are required. Awarded by the Real Estate Brokerage Managers Council.

CREThe Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) is an international group of real estate professionals who provide advisory services to clients on property and land-related matters.

CRPCertified Relocation Professional, awarded by the Employee Relocation Council. In order to obtain the CRP designation, an individual must pass a comprehensive exam that covers relocation issues related to corporate policies, appraising, real estate, legal considerations, and family concerns. Only those relocation professionals who have demonstrated a minimum of two years' experience dealing with relocation issues are allowed to sit for the exam. Industry professionals who have earned the CRP designation are dedicated to expanding their knowledge in order to provide the utmost in service and quality to today's transferees and their employers.

CRSCertified Residential Specialist - the "master's degree of real estate". Every CRS Designee must have a proven track record in the business, as well as advanced education in related areas like finance, technology and marketing. The training available to CRS Designees includes a strong focus on technology and its applications in the real estate business. Awarded by the Residential Sales Council.

CSPThe Certified Sales Professional designation is conferred by the National Sales and Marketing Council of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Candidates are required to complete 24 hours of course work.

eProePro is a new certification first offered in 2000 by the National Association of Realtors. It is a comprehensive Internet certification program for real estate professionals. e-PRO holders have completed a course covering fundamentals of doing business online, ways of creating and maintaining online relationships, web marketing ethical and legal issues, and ways to adapt to new ways of doing business online.

GRIGraduate, REALTOR Institute, is a nationally professional real estate designation. This designation may only be earned after successfully completing a rigorous educational program that includes 92 hours of live course instruction from a statewide faculty selected because of extensive experience in their own areas of expertise. This designation is available only to members of the local, state and National Association of REALTORS.

LTGThe Leadership Training Graduate designation recognizes members of the Women's Council of Realtors who have achieved a superior level of leadership expertise through education, experience and industry service. Both men and women can be members of the WCR.

QSCQuality Service Certification, is presented by Quality Service Certification, Inc., and is recognized for credit toward the CRB Designation through the Councils Accreditation Program. The program provides an education program leading to service certification and includes a formal framework and process for delivering measurably better service results. It offers consumers the opportunity to identify and select certified service professionals based upon the experience, quantified feedback and evaluations of other consumers.

SIORThe Society of Industrial and Office Realtors confers this designation to agents with five years of industrial and office real estate experience who fulfill all educational requirements, pass a comprehensive membership exam, or hold the CCIM designation. Designees must meet an annual minimum in closed transactions by number, volume or square footage as set by local chapters.

SRESThe Senior Advantage Real Estate Council, "SAREC", offers a specific designation, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, "SRES, to identify those members who have successfully completed its education program along with other prerequisites. REALTORS with the "SRES" designation help seniors make wise decisions about selling the family home, buying rental property or managing the capital gains and tax implications of owning real estate. By earning the "SRES" designation, the REALTOR has demonstrated that they have the requisite knowledge,